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The mighty one, God the Lord, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth. Our God comes and does not keep silence, before him is a devouring fire, and a mighty tempest all around him. He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people: ‘Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!’ The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge.(Psalm 50:1-6)
God speaks all the time if we would but listen. The Creator of all things has stayed involved and caring for His creation and we need but look for Him and His handiwork. It's still dark as I write this (and cold!), but soon the sun will begin its majestic appearance on the earth, God speaking and saying, "I made this for you!" It's as if God is indeed yelling out, "Earth! wake up and enjoy the beauty made for you!" God is not shy, as a modern version of this same psalm says; God speaks in bold ways - oh that we might just listen. God calls us out of slumber into service, faithful and fruitful service; each of us living the best lives we can sharing love, compassion, hope, and justice with all, knowing that one day we will be held to account for what we did and didn't do for others. God calls us to call others to gather, to recognize our unity and bond as creatures of the Most High - banded together to do that which blesses God and those not yet blessed. All that is around us declares the righteousness of God, further call to live a life of sacrifice and love.
Just yesterday I read about Bazooka gum. It was originally owned by Topps Baseball Card Company, and if you're young enough like me, you will remember buying and enjoying Bazooka gum. And you might remember getting a baseball card with it, photos and stats of a baseball player of the time, and you could collect and trade with friends those cards. In 2010, Wayne University researchers did a study of 230 baseball cards from the 1952 (great year to be born!) season, seeking to categorize the smiles of each of the players' faces. The conclusion was reported by TIME magazine, "Players who had more authentic smiles-- conveying a deeper level of contentment -- were more likely to live longer than those who were only partially smiling, or not grinning at all." And the lifespan differences were huge -- genuinely smiling players lived, on average, seven more years longer than those who weren't smiling whatsoever. So, as the psalmist is saying, smile! God loves you and watches over you and expects from you a life that blesses others. That should be reason enough to smile!
PRAYER: Loving Father, smile on me the grace of Your love. As I see the sun make its way across the sky, may it make the closeness I seek to have with You and with Yours. Bless me to be a blessing, and let me live a life of sacrifice that brings to You great joy. This I pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Smile, for someone is watching and may just need the brightness of your smile!
Eradio Valverde
